The 6 Jobs that Burn the Most Calories

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week for most adults. Exercise has been linked with the reduction of stress, improvement in sleep, and weight loss. With many of us in sedentary jobs and juggling outside activities such as school, children and errands, it can feel like exercise is impossible to squeeze in. If you find yourself struggling with balancing both work and exercise, there are many jobs out there that incorporate both.

1. Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor

No surprise here. Personal trainers and fitness instructors do truly practice what they preach. Personal trainers will often benefit from working out alongside their clients, ensuring that they are performing the exercises correctly. Fitness instructors have to do exercises with even more stamina and energy, which can prove to be a great workout. A one hour group class can burn some serious calories. Classes being offered at local gyms include a wide variety of interests such as Zumba, Pilates, boot camp and spin.

2. Valet Parker

If you are looking for a job that will keep you moving, then a valet parker is for you. Working in valet, you are constantly on your feet and moving. If it is a busy day, it is not uncommon to see a valet parker running to get your car. Since the job is dependent on tips, it is even more incentive to get a move on. Being on the go for an eight hour shift can burn some major calories.

3. Construction Worker

Most areas of construction are labor intensive. A career in this field, which includes such jobs as carpenters and builders, utilizes key muscles by lifting, carrying, and laying heavy materials. From the time their shift starts until it ends, they are constantly on the move. Since many are paid upon completion of a project, it provides more incentive to keep up the intensity.

4. Firefighter

In order to become a firefighter, a fitness test must first be completed and passed. One of the most calorie-scorching portions of the test requires them to carry a weighted backpack while climbing five flights of stairs. Although not every day is comparable to that of the fitness test, when there is an emergency firefighters have to rely on their speed and strength to get the job done.

5. Tour Guide

Tour guides get the best of both worlds by being able to explore many beautiful sites as well as burning their fair share of calories during their shift. Tour guides are often found in common tourist locations including museums, tours, and excursions. Tour guides are often on their feet for many hours during their shift. If you happen to work as a recreational tour guide, being able to lift and load equipment may also be part of your job requirement.

6. Military

In order to be a part of the military, being in good physical condition is a requirement. The training that those in the military complete makes the civilian boot camp workouts seem a whole lot easier. Their drills commonly include exercises such as crawling, running, jumping, and push ups. It is important for those in the military to be able to maintain physical strength due to the many responsibilities that they have to endure when deployed.

Kristen Bourque, RD, LD has been writing health-related articles since 2000. Her nutrition articles and recipes have been featured in "Today's Dietitian" as well as the Canadian magazine "Glow". Kristen combines her love of nutrition with cooking on her personal blog, Swanky Dietitian.